The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-11
OBITUARY.
Death - John Roach, Americas Famous and
Midely-K Shin. Builder.

Widsly-Known Ship-Builder.
New YORK. Jan. 10--John Roach, the great
ship builder, died at o'clock this morning. The
family remained up with Mr.. Roach until
o'clock this morning, when they retired, with
the exception of Garrett n. Roach. He re-
NAMED on watch with the nurses. Dr. Taylor
called at o'clock this morning. He detected the
approach of death, ane at once informed the
family that Mr. Roach had only few hours to
live. The dying man sank slowly. He lost con-
seriousness about 7:30. His end was unmarked
by struggle. In the room surrounding the
couch of the dying man, were Mr.. and Mrs.
William f. Mcpherson, of Philadelphia; John
q. Roach, Garrett n Roach Stephen W. Roach,
Miss Emiline Roach, John Walton, a nephew,
Mrs hoach, and three grandchildren. The date
of the funeral has not been decided upon, but it
will take place from st. Paurs Methodist Epsco-
pal Church, corner Twenty second street and
Fourth avenue. Mr.. Roach was member of the
church The interment will be In the family
plot at Greenwood Cemetery.
The funeral will take place on Thursday at IL
A. NJ. from ST. Pauls Methodist Episcopal
Church. Twenty fourth street and Madison ave
nue. whore the deceased attended The Rev
Dr. McCtesney. the pastor, will offciate, assisted
by Bishop Harris. The servicesawil be as plain
as possible. The interment will be at Green
wood. The pail bearers have not lbeen selected
yet.
John Roach born in Ireland, but was
reared in America, in the city of New York.
Prior to his starting in business on his own ac-
count ne was a common workman in the Allaire
works. At this place he soon advanced him
self through his adaptabty to business to
tho position Of foreman, after which he estah
sished himself with a very small capital, but his
old employers recommendations assisted him to
- moderate credit, and his natural force
gave him prominence. In 1867 he was able to
purchase the Morgan iron works for about
100000, and in 1868 the Neptune works for
100000, and two years later the Franklin forge
for $125 000 and also large property at Chester.
Pa, where he subsequently put into operation
the extensive works known as the Delaware
river Iron ship building and engine works of
which corporation Mr.. Roach was the president
and owner. He was the builder of numbers of
i yese~a5for the United States government, hav-
ing been given the contract for the ships Dol
phin, Boston, Atlanta and Chicago The Boston
was finished in August, 1886, and the unfor-
tunate Dolphin-which caused John Roach so
much trouble by having been rejected under the
Cleveland Observation-Disclosures at last trans
ferred to the government through negotiations
between Mr.. Roach and Secretary Whitney.
John Roach's habits were of the most simple
nature He rose early. worked hard, retired
late. never smoked never drank, and was al
ways busy either with hands or brain. He gen
orally rose at in the morning. hreakfasted at Z,
and was driven to his works at 8. His carriage
WAS m0deSt-loOklng come drawn by one horse
His coachman did not wear livery, and
stranger would more quickly think it hired
cab than the private carriage of . millionaire.
He remained at his Office until late In the day.
sometimes not returning to his dinner until long
after o'clock. A great portion Of his evenings
were spent in his library. Here he read, wrote
and thought He was a great reader. a clear
thinker, and most forcihle writer, as his many
pamphlets on the subject of protection bear wit
ness. When question was presented, and his
opinion asked. he obtained all the information
possible upon the subject. and
fully and thoroughly sifted the facts,
his mind was once made up it was i'm
possible to change it. He took his position and
held it firmly, neither argument persuasion
moving him. In illustration of this trait, it is
said that at the breaking out Of the war Of the
Rebellion ne sent for a copy Of the Constitutions
of the United States and of the several States,
and carefully studied every section bearing upon
the right of State to secede. He walked the
floor of his library the whole of one night pom
dering upon the different sections, and meditat-
ing upon their meaning The result of his
lonely vigil was firm conviction that secession
was wrong and national unity right.
In politics he was a strong Republican, aud
though he rarely to the surface during
political campaigns he was nevertheless tire
less worker His favorite method was the dis
tribution of political tracts written by himself
nnder fictitious These tracts have
In many campaigns won thousands of votes
over to the Republicans from the laboring
classes
He displayed the same methodical way of
thought in the management of his vast business.
He had over three thousand men in his employ
and his monthly payroll was $4,000 His
executive ability was marvellous
He usually spent the latter portion of each
week atChester. When he purchased this ship
yard, in 1871, the property was in the hands of
a receiver, wholly out of repair and fast going
to decay. II is situated the Delaware river
. twelve miles below Philadelphia. He believed,
fhara VIZ af fnfi1y for fbai ohjv h,,;l1
ing trade in America and selected this spot on
account of its proximity TO the iron and coal re-
gions. He has built in all, 235 ships in the
yard
Socially John Roach was most pleasant man
to meet. He liked to hear good story and
could tell many in return. He full of wit
and keen humor, and a most entertaining talker
He attributed most of his success ESQ he said in
his stories) to the fact that he had never been
plaintiff or defendant in any lawsuit. He ad-
vised all his friends TO avoid lawsuits AT one
time Mr.. Roach was very wealthy, his estate be-
ing estimated at from So 000, 900 to $40 00O 900
His yard at Chester alone was assessed for
81, DOC, 00O and he owned large amount of real
estate in New York, together with large ship
ping interests What he was worth no one knew
but himself, but good judges say that his wealth
would, in the DAYS of his prosperity, at least
amount to S.. 600. 900. If not more. He was very
charitable, but his charities, although large and
far reaching. mostly bestowed in a quiet
way, and without display or public notice.
Mr. Roach employed the services, for several
years. of a well-known Washington editor, OF
more than average talent as a graphic writer and
thoroughly posted in public affairs. On one oc
casion Mr. Roach handed this gentleman mass
of manuscript with request that he would re-
wise and edit it. He took it to his Office but the
more he expunged and interlineatsd the less il
appeared capable of being licked into shape. As
q last resort the newspaper man threw the man
uscript into the fire, rewrote the article from
Smprimis to fms, and, mantling with pride at
what he conceived to be grand success. re-
turned the sheets for Mr. Roach's inspection.
Judge of his establishment when Mr. Roach
sent for him, and angrily exclaimed: Whats
, this you have brought me, siri"